Who is the resource for rebuilding my '77 rear end? I want to do a complete rebuild of the rear for high performance, drag strip use on street tires.


MxB

 

mike dyer

 

Mike Dyer is Tracdogg2 here on the forum

 

Has anyone used the rear diff rebuild/exchange services offered by Ecklers, Corvette Central, etc? I was going to buy the parts and have the guy who did my old drag cars build the rear, but for $999 I might consider the service. TIA for your advice/opinions.

 

Just remember..."You pay peanuts, you get Monkeys!!!!!"

 

Mike 214-717-8379 (just installed a Super 10 bolt from him)

 

Then gat it built by someone that knows how to built the differential for drag racing not NCRS shows. Tracdogg is in Texas, GTR1999 is in Mass. I believe, Or VTech in Stillman Valley, IL. These 3guys can all build what you want. Shipping is expensive so figure that too. I would go with Mike Dyer as well.

 

Another vote for Mike Dyer, tracdogg2@tx.rr.com.

Mike rebuilt mine as a 12 bolt and in addition to his excellent technical reputation, he's a hell of a nice guy.

 

Thanks, those guys are from from me in NJ! I will stick with the reputation of the guy I know. Farid at Fark's Supercars in Brooklyn, NY. He built the rears and driveshafts in my Chevelle and Malibu years ago. $350 labor is not a high price to pay for reputation. He will set up the gears, new bearings, seals, and rebuild the posi. Hopefully next year I will be putting a Keisler overdrive with a nice streetable 400-450HP small block I am going to build.

 

I don't know anything about Fark's Supercars, which means absolutely nothing, but a Corvette diff is not like a Chevelle or Camaro diff. He will not be able to use the same pinion and side shims like you would in an A, F, or G body. Here's a real simple test to ask the rebuilder. What do you set the spider gear backlash at? Anyone experienced on vette diffs will quickly answer in .00?. If they say they set it to factory specs then they don't have a clue to what you're asking. Incorrect backlash has resulted in more carriers grenading than bad drivers. This is not much of an issue in a solid axle car but rather important in a vette.
Ecklers as far as I know is still using Ikerds for their rebuilding. But that is a stock rebuilt diff. All corvette carriers have casting defects that need to be addressed if you are planning to abuse it. Bearing saddles need to be trued and bearing caps need to be fitted. The left side carrier bearing race will be loose in the saddle due to cap stretch. Every diff with hard miles will have these problems. And they are never addressed in a stock rebuild. I can see $350 labor for a Chevelle diff rebuild. The book only gives 4.5 hours. A good mechanic can do it in three. Check out "Vette Magazine Big Block Party" to see what I went thru building the diff for this car. Other than the HD parts from Toms this is what I consider a proper rebuild.
John, You got that beast running yet?
Dip51, I've never heard that saying before but it is so true.
Hi Rob!, Kevin!, Richard!
George, where's my latest weather forecast?
Mike

 

Gary from VTech in Stillman Valley, IL did mine and also swapped out the gear for a 3:54 he did great work.

 

Thanks a lot Mike! I will ask him tomorrow and do some more research starting with your build. I know he has done lots of high-horsepower C2, C3, and C4 diffs over the years, mostly for drag and pro-touring cars. He did recommend Timken bearings and Motive Gears, and I told him I was ordering the parts from Toms.

 

Motive gears are pretty good. I use them in a lot of resto rebuilds. But they only come in 3.55 and 3.70. Richmonds are still available, you just have to look hard. Toms USGears are also good. The gears are honed in different positions on all three types and the pattern will be different. Richmonds set up close to the toe while the Motives set up more towards the middle of the tooth. Timken bearings are a must.
Mike

 

Thanks again Mike. I just checked out your website. I will email you for a quote and I will have to figure out shipping costs. Unfortunately for me it does not look like there are any shops that truly specialize in Vette rears in NJ. I've always done everything myself, but the rear diffs seem to have "Tricks" to them so I would much rather have it done by someone who knows the issues. Best regards

 

GTR1999 is Gary T. Ramadei Corvette Service. New Haven, Conn. 203-776-2813 EXT 139 days.

 

www.bairs.com is one professional experienced shop.

 

Yogi Bair doesn't build up custom drag racing rears like Ramadei or tracdogg2.

 

No matter who builds up your rear end for high performance applications, the parts are most certainly going to come from Tom's Differentials. Tom no longer assembles differentials/trailing arm 1/2 axle bearing housings, etc. Previous posts have identified some people that will provide superior assembly services.

My concern is that Tom can only offer his high strength specialized alloy steel components by ordering relatively large volume production runs (for example from Eaton). Once he sells out his inventory, he can only economically replenish by ordering another large volume production run. He may decide that future demand is not there and therefor not order another production run. For my 1970 rebuild project. I've been lately concentrating on the interior and body. Realizing that rear suspension parts might become unavailable in the future, I ordered Tom's "super" strength 10 bolt diff parts. (1350 U joints) for my 70.
Tom is not a forum sponsor, but he no longer really competes with forum sponsors, since he just sells parts. Forum sponsors will assemble his parts. Google "Toms Differentials." Check out the prices, I think they are very reasonable for custom made parts from limited production runs.

Actually, I'm almost inclined to buy some of his parts as investments. In the future, his high quality, extra strength parts may in demand if he doesn't replenish his inventories.

 

He is "THE MAN"!!!!!

My 3.73's have been taking a beating from that zz454 for over 4 years and still going strong!!!!!

Aces in my book and a really nice guy!!!!!

 

Tom's in house rear end builder of many years died a year or two ago and they never replaced him. I bought one of his last 12 bolt 4.11 conversions with the 1350 halfshaft setup and beefy inner and outer axles. Glad I got it when I did.